Hisham wrote:The only down side with plb may be the time it may take for emergency services to confirm it is an emergency and get out there, whereas with a sat phone you can scream at them.
sweetade wrote:I'm seeking others' opinions on what emergency devices would be good to take for a 3 person group on the OT (early Feb.). Sat. phone, PLB, both? I've also heard of sat sleeve for iPhone. I'd most probably be thinking of hiring rather than buying.
This kind of gadgetry is new to me. I did the OT solo 40 years ago and didn't worry too much except for avoiding side trips. But especially with two of us in our 60s, it seems prudent to think about these things.
Nuts wrote:You don't carry any magic button nik? They are expensive little things but may allow the family to relax..
Strider wrote:Hisham wrote:The only down side with plb may be the time it may take for emergency services to confirm it is an emergency and get out there, whereas with a sat phone you can scream at them.
This is not correct IMO. All beacon activations are taken extremely seriously and are treated as life in danger with utmost urgency. A PLB will always be more reliable than a Spot, Inreach or satphone.
Did I see a parallel thread somewhere?
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alanoutgear wrote:I'd go for a PLB with a GPS chip which will give an accurate location to 3 or 4 metres provided it can see the sky.
Despite some previous poster's advice, there is no second guessing by AMSA when a PLB is activated - all PLB activations are treated as an emergency until/unless advised otherwise.
So, in an emergency you activate your PLB, and a couple of minutes later the signal has been pinged by the COPAS/SARSAT satellites, the location and PLB HEX ID are forwarded to AMSA who will know who the activated PLB belongs to, and if you've been diligent you will have entered your track notes into your page on the AMSA website so they know what you are doing. They will also know your emergency contacts because you have to give them at least one, but can be more.
Police will coordinate the search and rescue, and will determine the most appropriate method of response eg helicopter, fixed wing, vehicle, foot depending on the location.
Note: being late out is NOT regarded as an emergency and there would want to be a *&%$#! good reason for activating a PLB if you are late getting out (and I can't think of one unless you are caught in a blizzard and have run out of food and water). There is also provision for charge back for reckless activation of a PLB to recover the cost of a search and rescue.
Hisham wrote:Do people update the amsa travel intentions for their plb before each hike?
Does it hinder the response if it's not updated?
sweetade wrote:Anyone know somewhere to hire in Melbourne?
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